He was best known as the guitarist from the Beastie Boys, but Adam Yauch also ran a film studio and directed basketball documentary Gunnin' For That #1 Spot. Now he has died at the age of just 47.
Yauch had been receiving treatment for throat cancer after developing a tumour three years ago. He was forced to withdraw from performing but remained active in his film production company, Oscilloscope Laboratories, which was behind movies like Wendy And Lucy, Meek's Cutoff and Burma VJ. He also acted in several short films.
As a director, Yauch had a distinctive visual style that suggested a promising future. His early work on Beastie Boys videos translated effectively to filming sport and action sequences. His passion for thoughtful independent films informed an understanding of technique that gave his work real finesse.
Yauch had undergone extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as becoming Vegan on the advice of Tibetan doctors whom he befriended during his campaigning work on behalf of the country's resistance movement. He is survived by his wife Dechen and daughter Tenzin.
